Apple tree named ‘Masonova’

ABSTRACT

A new apple variety distinguished by resistance to apple scab; good cold storage ability; desirable eating characteristics including soft and fine textured ivory colored flesh with some green and red venation surrounding the core, and flesh exhibiting absent to very weak browning after cutting; and the skin has solid, complete red coloration.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malusdomestica Borkh.

Variety denomination: ‘Masonova’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of appletree named ‘Masonova’. The new tree ‘Masonova’ (experimental designationS47-24-42) resulted from a planned hybridization programme and is aselection from a cross between the pollen parent ‘Empire’ (unpatented)and the seed parent ‘S21-42-69’ (unpatented) in 1974. The cultivar‘Empire,’ which is a cross between McIntosh (unpatented) and RedDelicious (unpatented), was released in Geneva, N.Y., in 1966. ‘Empire’is a cultivar that gained wide commercial acceptance for a number ofreasons including productivity under a wide range of planting systems,harvest during the gap between McIntosh and Red Delicious; resistance topreharvest fruit drop and storage scald, low susceptibility to fireblight, and fruit quality with respect to color, firmness, and storage.The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area inNova Scotia, Canada.

More specifically, pollen was collected from the cultivar ‘Empire’,stored and dried for use in the traditional crossing method. At the fullbloom stage, the emasculated flowers of ‘S21-42-69’ were pollinated withthe dried pollen from ‘Empire’. Seeds were collected from successfullypollinated fruit in the fall of 1974. In 1978, trees were planted in theseeding evaluation field block in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Fruit wasevaluated from 1984 to 1988 and re-propagation for field evaluations wasdone in 1991.

The selection of ‘Masonova’ took place in 1989. Selection criteria for‘Masonova’ included scab resistance, combined with the desirable eatingquality traits of ‘Empire’ and solid, complete red coloration of thefruit.

Trees of ‘Masonova’ were compared to ‘Novaspy’ (unpatented) and‘Liberty’ (unpatented) apple varieties, referred to herein as the“reference varieties.” ‘Novaspy’ originated at AAFC as a cross between‘Nova Easygro’ (unpatented)×(Red Spy×Golden Delicious, both unpatented),while ‘Liberty’ originated in Geneva, N.Y., as a cross between‘Macoun’×Purdue 54-12 (both unpatented).

The comparative tests and trials for ‘Masonova’ were conducted in 2003and 2004. The fruit and tree characteristics were evaluated on treesplanted in 1992 in a cooperative scab-resistant cultivar trial. Thetrial consisted of four trees of each variety grafted on ‘Budogovsky490’ (unpatented) rootstock. They were planted twelve feet apart in rowswhich were spaced at eighteen feet.

Asexual reproduction shows that the distinguishing characteristics of‘Masonova’ are established and transmitted through succeeding asexualpropagations. Progeny was first asexually propagated in 1991 inKentville, Nova Scotia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Masonova’ variety is distinguished from other apple varieties dueto the following unique combination of characteristics: resistance toapple scab; good cold storage ability; desirable eating characteristicsincluding soft and fine textured ivory colored flesh with some green andred venation surrounding the core, and flesh exhibiting absent to veryweak browning after cutting; the skin has solid, complete redcoloration. Tree shape is upright with a spur type growth habit. Fruitshape is flat, globose with a pronounced eye basin and stalk cavity.Petal shape is orbicular.

‘Masonova’ is a spur-type tree with a higher density of spurs and moreupright than S21-42-69 (seed parent). The fruit are generally larger andnot as uniform or round. Fruit color is dark red and ground color isless green. ‘S21-42-69’ is a seedling that was selected for scabresistance as a replacement for McIntosh. The harvest season and colorfor ‘Empire’ is 5-10 days prior to Red Delicious, the color ispredominately dark red blush over a green ground color.

A few compared characteristics of ‘Empire’ to ‘Masonova’ are as follows:

Empire

-   Origin: Cross between McIntosh and Delicious in 1945.-   Tree: Productive, large, vigorous, upright, spreading, semi-spur    type, round-topped and dense canopy.-   Fruit: Average ripening date October 10^(th), medium sized and    distinctly uniform, thick, tough skin, very dark red in color and    striped. Flesh is whitish cream in color, firm, crisp and juicy.    (Way, D. R., 1971, APPLE CULTIVARS. Introduced by the N.Y.S.A.E.S.,    1914-1968 Search Agriculture, Vol. 1, No. 2. New York State Ag, Exp.    Stn. 23-24).    ‘Masonova’-   Origin: Cross between ‘S21-42-69’ and ‘Empire’ in 1974.-   Tree: Heavy bearing tree, moderate vigor, upright, vase-shaped    spreading, spur type growth habit and semi-open canopy.    -   -   Fruit.—Average ripening date October 10^(th), medium sized            and uniform, surface is smooth and waxy, dark red in color            with a striped blush pattern. Flesh is ivory with some green            and red venation, mild sweet taste with moderate crispness.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by grafting and budding onto‘Budogovsky 490’ (unpatented) rootstock shows that the foregoing andother characteristics come true to form, are firmly fixed, and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The original ‘Masonova’ crosses were conducted in 1974. Seeds producedfrom these crosses were planted in 1978. The following detaileddescription concerns the original tree (S47-24-42), selected in 1989,and progeny first asexually propagated in 1991.

The original tree and progeny have been observed growing in a cultivatedarea in Nova Scotia, Canada. Certain characteristics of this variety,such as growth and color, may change with changing environmentalconditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability,or other factors). Color descriptions and other terminology are used inaccordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made withreference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart. Allcolor characteristics were determined using the 1986 version of TheRoyal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) color charts and measuredcharacteristics were based on ten plant measurements. It should beunderstood that the colors may vary, depending on factors such asgrowing and lighting conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The ‘Masonova’ apple is illustrated by the accompanying colorphotographs, in which:

FIG. 1 shows ‘Masonova’ flower buds and flowers;

FIG. 2 shows one-year old ‘Masonova’ shoots;

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of a one-year old ‘Masonova’ shoot;

FIG. 4 shows a stem-view of two ‘Masonova’ apples;

FIG. 5 shows cross-sectional views of ‘Masonova’ apples; and

FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of a cross-section of a ‘Masonova’ apple;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show one side of ‘Masonova’ leaves;

FIG. 8 shows ‘Masonova’ tree during winter;

FIG. 9 shows ‘Masonova’ tree bark;

The colors of an illustration of this type may vary with lighting andother conditions, therefore, color characteristics of this new varietyshould be determined with reference to the observations describedherein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

‘Masonova’ is a mid-season dessert apple variety having a moderatelygood fruit setting with winter hardiness to Canadian zone 5b. ‘Masonova’is resistant to scab (Iventuria inaequalis) and may be suitable forfarming using organic growing techniques. The preferred method ofpropagation is budding onto rootstock liners in a nursery, althoughother suitable asexual growing methods may be used.

BOTANICAL

The following detailed description of the ‘Masonova’ variety is based onobservations of asexually reproduced progeny. The observed progeny aretrees which were 12 years of age and growing on ‘Budogovsky 490’rootstock in Nova Scotia, Canada.

-   Scientific name: Malus domestica Borkh. ‘Masonova’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘S21-42-69’.        -   Pollen parent.—‘Empire’.-   Tree:    -   -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Overall shape.—Upright.        -   Height.—About 14-18 ft.        -   Width.—Overall spread of about 12 ft.        -   Caliper.—Trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) cm²=100 cm². TCA            is the most common measurement to estimate tree size and,            indirectly, the capacity of that tree to produce fruit. TCA            can be estimated indirectly by using a simple tape measure            and calculating the cross-section or TCA can be provided            directly using a tree caliper.-   Trunk bark texture: Thin, flaky, with longitudinal cracks (see FIG.    9.).-   Trunk bark color: Brown (RHS 166A).-   Patches or other markings: Lenticels present on trunk (horizontal)    whitish in color.    -   -   Primary branches.—Moderate to strong branches; the angle of            the fruit bearing branches is less than 90° and the major            fruit load is predominantly borne on spurs.        -   Branch color.—One-year old branches are brown-red (RHS 187A)            in color, while two-year old branches are brown (RHS 166A)            in color.        -   Branch pubescence.—One year old shoots have absent to very            sparse pubescence on the upper half.        -   Thickness.—Dormant one-year old shoot have mean thickness of            5.3 mm, with a standard deviation of 0.72.        -   New growth bark.—One year old shoots have moderately shiny            bark and are brown (RHS 187A) in color.        -   Branch lenticels.—One year old shoots have few lenticels on            the upper half, the lenticels have a low density,            approximately 4-6 per square inch; typical examples of which            measured about 1.27 mm in diameter; beige brown (RHS 165D)            in color.        -   Internodes.—Average internode length is about 24.3 mm on a            one-year old shoot.        -   Bearing.—Heavy bearing tree.        -   Hardiness.—At least Zones 5b (Canada).        -   Disease resistance.—Field immune to scab (Iventuria            inaequalis).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium.        -   Length.—About 49.6 mm to about 87.7 mm, averaging about 66.9            mm.        -   Width.—Mean 35.8 mm, with a standard deviation of 4.85.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Tip shape.—Acuminate.        -   Color.—Upper leaf surface is green (RHS 143A), lower leaf            surface is yellow-green (RHS 147C); vein color is            yellow-green (RHS 147C).        -   Petiole.—About 34.4 mm long; about 1.92 mm in diameter, and            red-purple (RHS 60B).        -   Pubescence.—Slight. The length, width, thickness and other            measurements were obtained from observations of ten typical            leaves in 2003.        -   Shoot tip leaves.—Concave in cross section, with sparse            pubescence on the upper side. The lower side of the shoot            tip leaves is green with no secondary coloration.-   Flowers:    -   -   Size.—Single flowers, 4.3-5.5 cm, typical flower measuring            about 5.0 cm across.        -   Color.—Unopened bud: medium pink to dark pink (RHS 65A).            Opened flower: upper surface of the petals when the flower            is fully open is light blue pink on inner surface of petals            (RHS 62B); blue pink on outer surface of petals (RHS 65B).        -   Flower bud.—Length 4.4 mm, width 1.27 mm.        -   Petals.—5 petals per flower; orbicular in shape that touch            an overlap; mean width 18.3 mm, with a standard deviation of            1.16; mean length 20.8 mm, with a standard deviation of            1.23.        -   Bloom season.—Seasonal flower development classified as very            late; full bloom observed on Jun. 8, 2003.-   Fruit: (Observations from a sample of typical fruit in 2003.)    -   -   Size.—Medium; mean diameter of 7.29 cm, with a standard            deviation of 0.40.        -   Form.—Asymmetrical and flat globose; no ribbing; eye is            medium in size with an open aperture.        -   Stalk cavity.—Pronounced; broad and medium in depth; mean            width 3.7 cm, with a standard deviation of 0.14.        -   Eye basin.—Deep and medium in width; mean depth 6.44 mm,            with a standard deviation of 0.99, about 3.0 cm wide.        -   Stem.—Medium in length and thickness; typical average            observed in 2003, about 18 mm long and 1.9 mm in diameter;            green (RHS 162B) in color.        -   Locules.—Closed.        -   Skin.—Surface is smooth with no bloom and some waxiness.        -   Lenticels.—Slightly prominent and small in size.        -   Color.—General color effect: Dark Red. Ground color: Creamy            white (RHS 18C). Overcolor: Very high amount of dark red in            a striped blush pattern (RHS 187B). Russetting: None.        -   Fruit properties at maturity (based on 10 fruit tested in            2006 ).—Firmness: Moderate, about 10.13-12.85 kg, averaging            about 10.52 kg. (Fruit in storage for 10 weeks). Texture:            Fine. Soluble solids: About 13.0%, averaging about 13.0%.            Flavor: Mild, sweet, sub-acid. Juiciness: Moderate. Flesh            color: Ivory with some green and red venation surrounding            the core (RHS 158C). Flesh browning: Absent to very weak one            hour after being cut. Aroma: Strong, ripe apple.        -   Core.—Core line is absent to very weakly distinct; Median            bundle area shape, typical in circular about 36 mm long and            about 36 mm wide.        -   Seed.—Brown and normal in shape at maturity; about 2-3 seeds            per cell, normal shaped; about 8.26 mm long and about 4.33            mm wide; brown (RHS 177A) in color.        -   Fruit production.—First picking date in October in 2003 was            about 10th, and last picking date was about same; average            production is 400-500 lbs. of fruit per tree.        -   Storage.—Fruit remains fresh at room temperature for 10            days, and can be stored up to 180 days in air storage at            3-4° C.        -   Usage.—Dessert apple, juice or sauce.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen.—Arranged in a row; 20 stamens, each about 8.17 mm            long and green (RHS 142B) in color.        -   Anthers.—Yellow (RHS 2B).        -   Pollen.—(RHS) in color.        -   Pistil.—Stigma is about 6.60 mm long; 1 styles, at base, and            green (RHS 142B) in color. ‘Masonova’ is self sterile.            Potential pollen donors in an orchard setting could be the            scab resistant cultivars Nova Spy, Liberty and Gold Rush            (unpatented). Potential pollen donors in an orchard setting            for scab susceptible cultivars include Cortland            (unpatented), Red Delicious, and Honeycrisp (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 7,197).

The following is a comparison of some characteristics of the ‘Masonova’apple variety to the reference varieties ‘Novaspy’ and ‘Liberty’.

‘Masonova’ produces moderately vigorous, upright trees with moderate tostrong branches; the angle of the fruit bearing branches is +/−90° andthe major fruit load is predominantly borne on spurs. By contrast, thebranches of ‘Liberty’ have a spreading habit and those of ‘Novaspy’ areweeping. Fruit bearing occurs on both the spurs and shoots for‘Novaspy’. ‘Masonova’ has stronger branches and wider leaves than thereference varieties. Dormant one year old shoots of ‘Masonova’ arethicker, less pubescent and have fewer lenticels than those of eitherreference variety.

Seasonal flower development is classified as very late for ‘Masonova’while it is mid-season for ‘Novaspy’ and mid-season to late for‘Liberty’. ‘Masonova’ flowers are single with orbicular shaped petalsthat touch an overlap, while petal shape is ovate to oblong for‘Novaspy’ and ovate for ‘Liberty’. The color of the flower buds of‘Masonova’ is a lighter blue pink than those of the reference varieties.

‘Masonova’ produces medium sized fruit that are asymmetrical and flatglobose in shape with a pronounced eye basin and stock cavity whereas‘Novaspy’ produces large fruit which is truncate conical in shape. Incomparison to the fruit of the reference varieties, ‘Masonova’ has alarger eye aperture, deeper eye basin, wider stalk cavity and more overcolor of the skin than the reference varieties.

The color of the fruit flesh for ‘Masonova’ is ivory with some green andred venation surrounding the core while it is cream for ‘Novaspy’ andwhite for ‘Liberty’. Browning of the fruit flesh is absent to very weakfor ‘Masonova’ one hour after being cut, moderate for ‘Novaspy’ andstrong for ‘Liberty’. The fruit of ‘Masonova’ has softer flesh than thereference varieties. The texture of the flesh is fine for ‘Masonova’while it is coarse for ‘Novaspy.’

Table 1 quantifies some differences between ‘Masonova’ and the referencevarieties.

TABLE 1 Comparison table for ‘Masonova’ ‘Masonova’ ‘Novaspy’* ‘Liberty’*Thickness of dormant one-year old shoot (mm) mean 5.3 3.8 4.8 std.deviation 0.72 0.48 0.59 Leaf width (mm) mean 35.8 49.9 52.8 std.deviation 4.85 6.42 5.75 Petal width (mm) mean 18.3 16.6 15.6 std.deviation 1.16 0.70 0.52 Color of flower buds (RHS) 65A 63B 63B Color ofpetals (RHS) inner side 62B 62C 62B outer side 65B 63C 65A Fruitdiameter (cm) mean 7.29 7.78 7.07 std. deviation 0.40 0.45 0.46 Depth offruit eye basin (mm) mean 6.44 5.83 4.51 std. deviation 0.99 1.12 0.69Width of stock cavity (cm) mean 3.7 3.4 2.9 std. deviation 0.14 0.370.18 *reference variety

1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree, substantially as hereinshown and described.